Nicoll Entertainment and MAST Mayflower Studios announce the UK tour of Coming to England, a brand new stage adaptation based on Floella Benjamin’s award-winning book, which comes to MAST Mayflower Studios from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 October 2024.
Adapted by David Wood (‘the national children’s dramatist’ – The Times) with music, storytelling and song, this inspirational story of hope, determination and triumph is much loved by children and families, telling Floella’s own story of moving to England as a child.
Aged just 10, she and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents. But Floella’s excitement for her new life in England is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s’ London.
Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.
Over the last five decades, Floella Benjamin has had a diverse and varied career in several sectors of the entertainment industry as an actress, singer, presenter, writer, independent producer, businesswoman and media regulator.
Floella has written over 30 children’s books. Coming to England was published in hardback in October 1995 and has since been published as an educational edition and is being used to teach modern history in schools and universities. Pan-Macmillan re-published the book as a 20th anniversary edition, which was selected as a Guardian ‘Book of the Year 2016’ and Times Book of the Month.
“I am absolutely thrilled and excited that a vibrant musical, based on my book, Coming to England, is set to go on tour around the country,” says Baroness Floella Benjamin. “This uplifting and inspirational Windrush story was written emotionally through the eyes of the child and as we have all been children it will resonate with everyone.
“Coming to England is a positive story of love, adventure, belonging, facing challenges and overcoming adversity to become successful.
“I can’t wait to see it burst onto the stage. This vibrant and energetic musical is the perfect entertainment for the whole family.”
Tickets for Coming to England (22 – 26 October 2024) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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